U16 girls back in the old routine

ec im on the phone

Well, whatever the magic ingredient was that helped us play so well against Wareham in the cup was in woefully short supply on Saturday. From the opening few minutes of the game it became apparent that things were wrong with just about everything and the style of play was as far away from the previous week as it could get.

Despite this (and on a positive note) we held back Twynham’s attacks for the first 28 minutes but after the first goal was scored by them things deteriorated rapidly to the same standard we all endured in the Season of Doom. The opposition then smashed a total of 5 past us in the following 15 minutes.

The more the Coaches watched from the touchline the more obvious it became that, for whatever reasons, we had only a fraction of the team playing to their capacity and with the heart and soul we’d seen previously. It really was a pity as I think everyone believed the recent form would make it another hard fought, nail-biting game.

After a half time chat a few more of the team came out of their mental/physical/ attitudinal retirement and started to put more effort in. We got some shots out and much more possession but the score in the first half had pretty much sunk us and even in the second half we were nowhere up to full strength no matter how you measure it.

Twynham stayed focused and scored another 2 before the final whistle blew bringing the whole thing to an end, the final score 7-0.

I’d like to thank Lydi, Lucy and Emily for their constant work rate, effort and commitment to the team. All three of you were candidates for MVP and congrats to Lucy for achieving it.

We now have 2 weeks until the next game so maybe in that time everyone can enjoy a rest and think ahead to the next match where we might have a confident, motivated team who really, really want to play their best.

U16 Girls - Just how close can you get?

It’s probably fair to say that Wareham Rangers (who are currently third from top in the league having won 5 of their 6 games) came to the Rec expecting to achieve a comfortable victory.

What they couldn't know however is that the new found spirit in the team has revolutionised the way we play and it must have come as a real shock when not only did we score first but also came off the pitch 2-1 up at half time! This in itself is an outstanding achievement as we had given away 2 penalties for handball but what happened after half time was quite simply unbelievable.

As the second half got underway the tempo and intensity of the game built to an all time high with both teams battling for every ball, defending like their lives depended on it and going for goal like it was the FA cup final!

It was truly amazing how the quality of play seemed to increase despite probably the most physically demanding game we’ve ever played. With goals from Hannah (2), Emily, Kat and Rachael the final whistle blew with the score an amazing 5-5. It was made even sweeter as the last goal (Hannah’s second) was scored in the last few seconds of the half giving them no time to recover.

However, as it was a cup match there had to be a winner and so the 2 x 15 minute sessions of extra time kicked off. Again, the battle commenced with the same determination and commitment as in the previous 80 minutes and the game raced from one end to the other. It became clear that this one was going down to the wire.

Wareham scored first but Broadstone never bowed their heads or let the pressure get to them and (again in the dying minutes) responded with a well thought out attack which delivered the ball to an ever more confident Hannah who finished it off with a well timed strike.

The final whistle of extra time blew, it was 6 all! So now it was down to the dreadful business of penalties. Our first 5 ‘volunteers’ were selected and with much encouragement from their team mates along with the (ever more excited) crowd bravely stepped up to take their shot. The crowd roared as Lydia saved the first Wareham penalty and narrowly missed a second despite an excellent dive. We were all staggered and just about emotionally exhausted when, after the first 5 penalties had been taken by both sides, the score was still tied at 3-3!!

By now of course everyone’s nerves were jangling, finger nails bitten down to the elbow and hearts pounding out of chests (well mine was anyway). Now it was sudden death. Wareham went first and squeezed it past Lydia and unfortunately our reply (despite being well hit and beyond the goalkeeper’s reach) touched the crossbar and rebounded away from goal.

So, it was 2-1 at half time, 5-5 at full time, 6-6 at end of extra time, 3-3 at the end of the first 5 penalties – you can’t get any closer than this!

What a truly amazing game of football.

A personal note to my team.

From my perspective (and I can also speak for Steve and Shelly) I’m so proud, inspired and amazed by every single player in the squad. We asked you to play in different formations during the game and you rose to the challenge, we asked some of you to play in different positions and you made them your own, we asked you play with your hearts and souls and you did even more than that, in short, there is nothing more we could have asked or received from you. Thank you.

I think Wareham went away wondering what hit them and must be very, very nervous about the league matches we will be playing against them. My eternal optimism has now been reinforced by confidence and certainty that if we can keep this form we are going to do really well in the matches against ‘stronger’ clubs and run rings round the softer ones.

I hope everyone’s confidence has been given a real boost by this match. I also hope you’ll put in the same effort in every game in the future because now we’ve all seen what you can do we’re hooked on it!

On a final note it was so difficult to choose the winner of the MVP, if I had 12 trophies you’d all have had one. A decision had to be made and it was awarded to Crizza for outstanding defence work. Well done!

Next week, we’re at home to Twynham and if we can play to the same outstanding standard we'll be going home smiling....and with some more points.